Solar Skateboard

ABSTRACT

A solar skateboard includes a board and a solar cell. The board includes a wheel, a motor, and an accumulation unit. The motor drives the wheel. The solar cell is disposed on the board to supply power to the motor through the accumulation unit to drive the wheel. The accumulation unit includes an outlet for an electric appliance to function as a mobile photoelectric charger, and a charging outlet is provided in case of insufficient light intensity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a solar skateboard, and moreparticularly, to one that converts photo energy into electric power toan accumulator before supplying power to drive the skateboard or tobecome a mobile photo-electric charger to supply power to an electricappliance, or an outlet for charging in case of weak light intensity.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Power skateboards generally available in the market as taught in U.S.Pat. No. 5,330,026 and US Publication No. 2005/0139406 are provided witha battery to supply power to the motor to drive wheels with the formerhaving its motor controlled by a remote control and the latter by aswitch attached to the board connected by means of an electric wire.

However, the power skateboard of the prior art for relying upon arechargeable battery to supply power to the skateboard is subject to thefollowing limitations:

-   -   1. Limited Charging Location. Since the connection to an        external source is a must, the recharging can only be done at        where an external source is available.    -   2. Accordingly, the operation of the power skateboard is        confined to the radius where the specific recharging location is        available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a solarskateboard. Wherein, a solar cell converts photo energy into electricpower to drive the skateboard and to function as a mobile photoelectriccharger by supplying power to an electric appliance.

To achieve the purpose, the present invention comprises a board, a solarcell, an accumulation unit, a control unit, and a motor. The board isdisposed with wheels to be driven by the motor to skate along. Theaccumulation unit is respectively connected to the motor and the solarcell. The solar cell supplies power to the accumulation unit and anover-charging protection is disposed to the accumulation unit. Theaccumulation unit is provided with a power supply outlet and a chargingoutlet. The control unit includes a start switch, a safety switch and amain switch. The board includes a footrest and a rear wheel stay. Thefootrest includes a first end, a middle section, and a second end. Themiddle section of the footrest is located between the first end and thesecond end, and is pivotally connected to the rear wheel stay of theboard. The first end of the footrest corresponds in position to thestart switch. The second end of the footrest corresponds in position tothe wheel. The start switch is disposed on the rear wheel stay andconductively connected to where between the motor and the accumulationunit. The start switch corresponds in position to the footrest and isconductively connected to where between the safety switch and theaccumulator unit. The main switch is conductively connected to wherebetween the start switch and the accumulation unit. The solar cell isprovided on an upper surface or a lower surface of the board.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the following advantages:

-   -   1. The present invention relies upon a solar cell to convert the        light source into electric power and the electric power is then        stored in an accumulation unit to become the energy source for        the operation of the skateboard.    -   2. The present invention is highly mobile and ready by allowing        to be immediately recharged whenever sunshine or light emission        presents.    -   3. The power outputted from the accumulation unit is available        for an electric appliance.    -   4. A charging outlet is available for recharging the present        invention whenever weak light intensity present.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a block chart showing electricity control flow of the firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an operating status (advancing) ofthe first preferred embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing another operating status (applying abrake) status of the first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention (up side down).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention includes a board (1), a solar cell (2), an accumulation unit(3), a control unit (4), and a motor (5). The board (1) is provided witha wheel (151) driven by the motor (5) to roll on. Both the solar cell(2) and the accumulation unit (3) are mounted to the board (1). Thesolar cell (2) is disposed on an upper surface of the board (1), and theaccumulation unit (3) is respectively connected with a conductor to themotor (5) and the solar cell (2) [i.e., conductively connected byconvention means, not illustrated]. The solar cell (2) supplies power tothe accumulation unit (3) in a detail construction as illustrated inFIGS. 2, and 3.

The board (1) includes two tube (11), two stands (12, 13), a front wheelstay (14), a rear wheel stay (15), a pivot (16), a support board (17), aface board (18), and a footrest (19). Both ends of each tube (11) arerespectively fixed to the stands (12, 13). The support board (17) isfixed on the tubes (11) and the stands (12, 13). The face board (18) isdisposed on the support board (17). A through hole (181) is disposed onthe face board (18). The solar cell (2) is secured to the face board(18). The stand (12) is fixed to the front wheel stay (14) and the stand(13) is fixed to the rear wheel stay (15). The front wheel stay (14) ispivotally connected with front wheels (141), and the wheel (151) isdisposed to the rear wheel stay (15). The rear wheel stay (15) includesthe wheel (151), a start switch (43) to be described below, and themotor (5). The motor (5) uses a belt (51) to drive the wheel (151) toroll on. The pivot (16) is disposed to the rear wheel stay (15) andinserted into a spring (161) before being pivoted to the footrest (19).The footrest (19) includes a first end (191), a middle section, and asecond end (192). The middle section of the footrest (19) is locatedbetween the first and the second ends (191, 192) and pivoted with asleeve (193) to the pivot (16) of the board (1). The first end (191)corresponds in position to the start switch (43), and the second end(192), to the wheel (151). A hole (194) is bored close to the second end(192) of the footrest (19) to become a handle.

The accumulation unit (3) is provided with an over-charging protection(31), a power supply outlet (32) and a charging outlet (33). Both thepower supply outlet (32) and the charging outlet (33) are provided onthe rear wheel stay (15) to respectively supply power to an electricappliance or execute charging in case of the weak light intensitypresents, e.g., during night hours, raining day, or winter season.

The control unit (4) includes a main switch (41), a safety switch (42),the start switch (43), and a fuse (44). The main switch (41) is disposedon the rear wheel stay (15) and connected to the accumulation unit (3).The safety switch (42) is located at the front wheel stay (14) andexposed out of the through hole (181). The start switch (43) is disposedto the rear wheel stay (15) of the board (1) and conductively connectedto the motor (5) by means of a conductor. The conductive connection(i.e., connection by means of a conductor, a conventional means, thusnot illustrated) among the main switch (41), the safety switch (42), andthe start switch (43) merely takes place between the accumulation unit(3) and the motor (5). The start switch (43) corresponds in position tothe first end (191) of the footrest (19).

In operation, the main switch (41) is first turned on, and the rider hasone foot stepping on the safety switch (42) and the other foot steppingon the first end (191) of the footrest (1) to press the start switch(43), as illustrated in FIG. 4, to activate the motor (5) driving thewheel (151) to roll on.

While applying the brake as illustrated in FIG. 5, the rider simplysteps on the second end (192) of the footrest (19) for the first end(191) of the footrest (19) to clear away from the start switch (43),thus to cut off the power supply while the rider presses the wheel (151)to apply the brake.

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention, as illustratedin FIG. 6, includes a board (1A), a solar cell (2A), an accumulationunit (3A) and a motor (5A). Wherein, the solar cell (2A) is disposed ona lower surface of the board (1A).

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of solar skateboard havebeen disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in theart that many more modifications besides those already described arepossible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. Theinventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except inthe spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both thespecification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in thebroadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, theterms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring toelements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicatingthat the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, orutilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that arenot expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to atleast one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . .. and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one elementfrom the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

1. A solar skateboard including a board, a solar cell, an accumulationunit and a motor; the board being provided with a wheel to be driven bythe motor to roll on; the solar cell and the accumulation unit beingdisposed to the board; the accumulation unit being respectivelyconnected to the motor and the solar cell; and the solar cell supplyingpower to the accumulation unit.
 2. The solar skateboard of claim 1,wherein the accumulation unit is provided with an over-chargingprotection.
 3. The solar skateboard of claim 1, wherein the accumulationunit is provided with a power supply outlet.
 4. The solar skateboard ofclaim 1, wherein the accumulation unit is provided with a chargingoutlet.
 5. The solar skateboard of claim 1, further including a controlunit to control the motor; the board including a footrest and a rearwheel stay; the footrest being pivotally connected to the rear wheelstay of the board; the control unit including a start switch; the startswitch being disposed to the rear wheel stay and connected between themotor and the accumulation unit; and the start switch corresponding inposition to the footrest.
 6. The solar skateboard of claim 5, whereinthe footrest includes a first end, a middle section, and a second end;the middle section of the footrest being located between the first andthe second ends of the footrest and pivotally connected to the board;the first end corresponding in position to the start switch; and thesecond end corresponding in position to the wheel.
 7. The solarskateboard of claim 5, wherein the control unit further includes asafety switch, and the start switch is conductively connected betweenthe safety switch and the accumulation unit.
 8. The solar skateboard ofclaim 7, wherein the control unit further includes a main switch, andthe main switch is connected between the start switch and theaccumulation unit.
 9. The solar skateboard of claim 1, wherein the solarcell is disposed to an upper surface of the board.
 10. The solarskateboard of claim 1, wherein the solar cell is disposed to a lowersurface of the board.
 11. A solar skateboard including a board, a solarcell, an accumulation unit and a motor; the board being provided with awheel to be driven by the motor to roll on; both the solar cell and theaccumulation unit being disposed on the board; an outlet being disposedto the accumulation unit, and the accumulation unit being respectivelyconnected to the motor and the solar cell; and the solar cell supplyingpower to the accumulation unit.
 12. The solar skateboard of claim 11,wherein the accumulation unit is provided with an over-chargingprotection.
 13. The solar skateboard of claim 11, wherein the outlet isa power supply outlet.
 14. The solar skateboard of claim 11, wherein theoutlet is a charging outlet.
 15. The solar skateboard of claim 11,further including a control unit to control the motor; the boardincluding a footrest and a rear wheel stay; the footrest being pivotallyconnected to the rear wheel stay of the board; the control unitincluding a start switch; the start switch being disposed to the rearwheel stay and connected between the motor and the accumulation unit;and the start switch corresponding in position to the footrest.
 16. Thesolar skateboard of claim 15, wherein the footrest includes a first end,a middle section, and a second end; the middle section of the footrestbeing located between the first end and the second end of the footrestand pivotally connected to the board; the first end corresponding inposition to the start switch; and the second end corresponding inposition to the wheel.
 17. The solar skateboard of claim 15, wherein thecontrol unit further includes a safety switch, and the start switch isconductively connected between the safety switch and the accumulationunit.
 18. The solar skateboard of claim 17, wherein the control unitfurther includes a main switch connected between the start switch andthe accumulation unit.
 19. The solar skateboard of claim 11, wherein thesolar cell is disposed to an upper surface of the board.
 20. The solarskateboard of claim 11, wherein the solar cell is disposed to a lowersurface of the board.